Device for mounting dealer tags

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for removably attaching dealer tags to various vehicles, comprising two or more mounting devices, each comprising a center portion with a mounting hole for mounting the device on the vehicle&#39;s tag or license mounting structure using a screw or bolt or similar mounting means. At one end of the device is a mounting post supported by a mounting post support with a ridge, protrusion, or indentation on two opposing sides. The mounting post support is flexibly attached to the center portion, and can be bent around and removably attached to the center portion by means of inserting the ridge or protrusions into corresponding holes or slots in the sides of the center portion. The other end of the device comprises a flexible arm or structure with a hole adapted to fit over the mounting post. The user causes the mounting post to be attached to the center portion, inserts the mounting post through a corresponding hole in the driver tag, then bends the flexible arm around to fit the snap-lock hole over the mounting post and hold the driver tag in place. Removal is accomplished by reversing these steps.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/187,415, filed Jul. 20, 2011, which claims benefit of and priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/366,038 filed Jul. 20, 2010, byDennis Brandon, and is entitled to that filing date for priority. Thespecification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/366,038 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/187,415 are incorporated herein by specific reference for allpurposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for removably attaching dealer tagsto various vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automobile dealers are required to attach temporary dealer tags orlicense plates to vehicles for customer demonstration or other purposes.A dealer tag may be mounted liked a permanent license plate with the useof tools like a screwdriver or wrench, but this is time-consuming anddifficult, and requires the potential customer to wait for an extendedperiod of time. Some dealers place or tape the dealer tag inside therear window of the vehicle, although this is prohibited by many states,and several states require that a temporary tag be mounted in the exactlocation as the permanent license plate. Other dealers may use magnetsto attach the dealer tag to the trunk or rear body of the vehicle.However, this is not permitted in states where the dealer tag must bemounted in the exact location as the permanent license plate, the tagmay be easily lost while driving, and the vehicle's paint can bescratched. Accordingly, what is needed is an easy and quick way toremovably attach dealer tags to any vehicle without the use of tools.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention comprises a tag mountingdevice comprising a center portion with a mounting hole for mounting thedevice on the vehicle's tag or license mounting structure using a screwor bolt or similar mounting means. In one embodiment, two or moremounting devices are used for a single vehicle.

At one end of the device is a mounting post supported by a mounting postsupport with a ridge, protrusion, or indentation on two opposing sides.The mounting post support is flexibly attached to the center portion,and can be bent around and removably attached to the center portion bymeans of inserting the ridge or protrusions into corresponding holes orslots in the sides of the center portion.

The other end of the device comprises a flexible arm or structure with ahole adapted to fit over the mounting post (i.e., as in a snap-lockfit). The mounting post is threaded, ridged, or serrated. The end of theflexible arm may be angled so as to facilitate removal (i.e., the userpushes down or pulls up on the end to cause the snap-lock to release).

To attach a dealer tag, the user causes the mounting post to be attachedto the center portion, inserts the mounting post through a correspondinghole in the driver tag, then bends the flexible arm around to fit thesnap-lock hole over the mounting post and hold the driver tag in place.Removal is accomplished by reversing these steps.

The height of the sides of the center portion may vary to accommodatedifferent models of vehicles. The devices may be made of any suitablematerial, including, but not limited to, plastic. The center portion,mounting post and support, and snap-lock fit arm may be separate fromeach other, although a unitary device as shown in the figures has theadvantage of not having separate parts that can be lost. Once mounted ona vehicle, the user does not have to worry about any part being lost.

In another exemplary embodiment, an all-thread or double-sided screw orbolt may be used, along with a wing net or similar device. The screw orbolt is mounted on the vehicle's mounting structure, and the driver tagmay be easily mounted or removed over the exposed end and held in placewith a wing nut, or similar hand-fastening device. In one embodiment, asnap-lock structure as described above may be used.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises alicense plate frame with a slot or slots in the lower frame to hold thebottom portion of the dealer tag. A snap-lock mechanism or spring islocated on the upper portion of the frame to hold the top of the dealertag in place. Advertising may be displayed on the frame.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a plasticdevice that is mounted on the vehicle's mounting structure using theexisting mounting holes (as described above). The outer part of thedevice comprises a structure that snap-locks through the mounting holesin the dealer tag. Two of these devices may be used per vehicle. In oneconfiguration, an offset for the snap-lock feature may be required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 shows perspective views of a device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3-7 shows different views of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the device of FIG. 1 being used to mount a dealerplate or tag.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with a dealer plate ortag mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the presentinvention comprises a tag mounting device 2. The center portion 10comprises a mounting hole 12 for mounting the device on the vehicle'stag or license mounting structure 50 using a screw or bolt 48 or similarmounting means. In one embodiment, two or more mounting devices are usedfor a single vehicle.

At one end of the device is a mounting post 14 supported by a mountingpost base 16. The base may have a ridge, protrusion, or indentation 18on one side or end, or on two opposing sides. The mounting post supportis flexibly attached to the center portion 10, and can be bent aroundand removably attached to the center portion by means of inserting theridge or protrusions 18 into corresponding holes or slots 20 in thesides (receiving structures) 24 of the center portion. A receivingstructure also may extend upwards from the side of the center portionopposite the post end.

The other end of the device comprises a flexible arm or structure with areceiving slot or hole 22 adapted to fit over the mounting post 14(i.e., as in a snap-lock fit). The mounting post may threaded, ridged,or serrated. The end of the flexible arm may be angled 26 so as tofacilitate removal (i.e., the user pushes down or pulls up on the end tocause the snap-lock to release).

To attach a dealer tag 46, the user causes the mounting post to beattached to the center portion, inserts the mounting post through acorresponding hole in the driver tag, then bends the other flexible armaround to fit the snap-lock hole or slot 22 over the mounting post andhold the dealer tag or plate 46 in place, as seen in figure. Removal isaccomplished by reversing these steps.

The height of the sides 24 of the center portion may vary to accommodatedifferent models of vehicles. The devices may be made of any suitablematerial, including, but not limited to, plastic. The center portion,mounting post and support, and snap-lock fit arm may be separate fromeach other, in whole or in part, although a unitary device as shown inthe figures has the advantage of not having separate parts that can belost. Once mounted on a vehicle, the user does not have to worry aboutany part being lost.

In another exemplary embodiment, an all-thread or double-sided screw orbolt may be used, along with a wing net or similar device. The screw orbolt is mounted on the vehicle's mounting structure, and the driver tagmay be easily mounted or removed over the exposed end and held in placewith a wing nut, or similar hand-fastening device. In one embodiment, asnap-lock structure as described above may be used.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises alicense plate frame with a slot or slots in the lower frame to hold thebottom portion of the dealer tag. A snap-lock mechanism or spring islocated on the upper portion of the frame to hold the top of the dealertag in place. Advertising may be displayed on the frame.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a plasticdevice that is mounted on the vehicle's mounting structure using theexisting mounting holes (as described above). The outer part of thedevice comprises a structure that snap-locks through the mounting holesin the dealer tag. Two of these devices may be used per vehicle. In oneconfiguration, an offset for the snap-lock feature may be required.

In another alternative embodiment, the invention comprises comprising apair of matching magnets (i.e., one positive, one negative). One magnetof each pair is attached to the head of a bolt or screw that is screwedinto the license plate mounting holes on the vehicle's mountingstructure. The matching magnet (of opposite polarity) is attached toback of the dealer license plate (temporary tag), which typically ismade from a nonmagnetic material. This may be done through the topmounting holes in the dealer license plate, such as by a magnet-headedbolt that passes through the hole and is held in place by a nut on theother side.

In a preferred embodiment, two sets of the apparatus are used (i.e., atotal of four magnets) along the top of the dealer plate, two insertedin the mounting structure, with matching magnets attached to the dealerplate, which can be easily attached or removed from the vehicle bysufficient force. The magnets are strong enough to hold the plate inplace during normal use. In one embodiment, the magnets used with thevehicle-mounted bolts are all of one polarity, and the magnets attachedto the dealer plate are all of the opposite polarity.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examplesdescribed herein have been chosen and described in order to bestillustrate the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to bestutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Eventhough specific embodiments of this invention have been described, theyare not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations thatwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for mounting plates on a motor vehicle,comprising: an elongated mounting strip with a center portion, a firstend and a second end, wherein the center portion has a vehicle side andan outward side and a center hole for attaching the strip to a vehicleor vehicle mounting structure, further wherein the first end is flexiblyattached to the center portion, and the second end is flexibly attachedto the center portion; a post extending from one side of the first endof the strip; and a receiving slot or hole in the second end of thestrip; wherein the first end can be bent to meet the center portion sothe post extends outward opposite the vehicle side, and the second endcan be bent to be fastened on the post; further wherein the first endlocks into the center portion.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is attached to a vehicle or vehicle mounting structure by a screwor bolt inserted through the center hole.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the center portion comprises two snap-lock receiving structureswith slots.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the receiving structuresextend outward from the center portion opposite the vehicle side.
 5. Adevice for mounting plates on a motor vehicle, comprising: an elongatedmounting strip with a center portion, a first end and a second end,wherein the center portion has a vehicle side and an outward side and acenter hole for attaching the strip to a vehicle or vehicle mountingstructure, further wherein the first end is flexibly attached to thecenter portion, and the second end is flexibly attached to the centerportion; a post extending from one side of the first end of the strip;and a receiving slot or hole in the second end of the strip; wherein thefirst end can be bent to meet the center portion so the post extendsoutward opposite the vehicle side, and the second end can be bent to befastened on the post; further wherein the second end can be unfastenedfrom the post.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the post is ridged orthreaded on its sides, in whole or in part.
 7. The device of claim 6,wherein the receiving hole or slot is adapted to engage the ridges orthreads on the post when pushed over the post.